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I was actually using cultural impact as the yard stick.  (total culture not just enthusiasts) Nessie's loops are one of the most iconic backdrops in the industry.  I would argue more people know her shape than name, and more know them then any other part of the other 3.  Also the number of records Nessie broke and how long she kept them is notable.  Heck she is still the only one coaster with interlocking loops.  (for whatever that is actually worth)

I would not speak to the rides as rides.  That is too subjective.
 
I didn't realize UncleDuncan had altered your LNM note to say X... I thought your original post said X.  Just looked back and saw that you did indeed say LNM, so now I am fully untwisted and far less dizzy than I was. Got it!

I agree that LNM is (IMO) a top 5 Arrow coaster for that sort of visual-cultural impact. I think I'd put Matterhorn, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain above it, even though I tend to stay away from those parks.  But outside the Disney parks, I dunno... I'd still put Magnum at least on par because it is not only iconic in its own right as That Gigantic Red Lakeside Coaster, but also ushered in a very particular style of ride that forever changed the skyline of nearly every major regional park in America. Its reach is long and literally massive. Those are probably the full list, though. Can't think of any others.

To me, LNM is as close as anything gets to being the "perfect" Arrow looper. Still novel; highlights nearly everything Arrow did well at the time; avoids most things Arrow stunk at; tall enough to thrill; short enough to avoid Arrow's later-stage megalooper problems; no complex curves or twisting inversions (but I repeat myself); and to this day it's still a damned good airtime machine.
 
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My top 5 Arrows (still standing) in terms of impact would be:
LNM
Magnum
Phantom (well partially)
Matterhorn
Corkscrew

LNM - Peak of Arrow inversion coasters.
Magnum - Size and speed
Phantom - That Iconic second drop
Matterhorn - The one that started it all.
Corkscrew - The start of the loopers
 
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Out of curiosity... not this?

space-mountain-00.jpg


That's the building, not the ride... but in the public eye they're one and the same attraction.
 
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halfabee said:
Out of curiosity... not this?

That's the building, not the ride... but in the public eye they're one and the same attraction.

The building is iconic do doubt. But the ride itself isn't iconic imo. It's the same as Matterhorn but enclosed to me. The ride itself isn't special or changing the game.
 
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A debate about Arrow coasters is interesting, but probably doesn’t belong in Nessie’s thread. The new Industry Discussion Board, however was designed for discussions just like this one.
 
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warfelg said:
What are the odd that the park could get new trains from S&S or Chance given that outside of Vekoma they are the most closely related?

I would say Nessie getting new trains from S&S or Chance is unlikley since they have not done this for other classic Arrow Loopers. Vekoma and Kumbak are the only two companies that have provided replacement trains for older Arrow coasters. S&S has provided new trains for a least one Arrow Hyper Coaster though... So I guess it is possible they could build new trains for Nessie or any other older Arrow Looper, but they haven't thus far and I am not sure why they would either considering Vekoma already makes a solid replacement train.

But really I don't think BGW is going to buy replacement trains from anyone for Nessie. I'm sure we will keep the original Arrow trains until the track is completely worn out and she no longer runs. But I am sure that is still several decades away.
 
BenWilkerson said:
the section of track after the first loop is wrapped in plastic. any ideas?
This usually happens when painting occurs on coasters. Last time Nessie was painted was in the winter of 2010 so it’ll be nice to see a fresh look for the 40th anniversary just wish they would pay some attention to rides that are begging for it like Apollo’s Chariot and Griffon.

I wonder if the park will eventually release a PR statment on what’s happening with the 40th anniversary as I’ve heard some wild things and I wonder how much of it is true. Fingers crossed we some tunnel effects return.
 
BenWilkerson said:
the section of track after the first loop is wrapped in plastic. any ideas?

I've been told that since the 2010 repaint of Nessie the part has decided that they will sandblast any coasters that need repaint and they are using an environmentally friendly paint.

The purpose of sandblasting versus just a new coat of paint is to remove the inevitable "low spots" in the track where a layer of paint is covering the already peeled away parts of the track that create a bumpy ride. So a new paint job is supposed to created a smoother ride.

P.S. I think we all would love to see a picture of the work area.
 
UncleDuncan said:
Zimmy said:
X at SFMM is, after all one of, if not the most important Arrow remnant.


BGW's little water lizard is cute and all, but let's be real: X is the crown jewel of the Arrow family. Just thinking about X makes me hum Sinead O'Connor in my head.

X2? You mean the pointless, rough, downtime-ridden abortion of a project?
 
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